E-textile testing and standards are evolving
November 11th, 2020
At the 2020 Virtual Expo session, “Ask the Expert: Textile Electronics Testing and Standards,” Jesse Jur, a professor at the Wilson College of Textiles, North Carolina State University, discussed how standards and testing continue to evolve due to the evolution of textile-based electronics (e-textiles). Jur said that standards have long been a vital resource for […]
Understanding intelligent textiles
November 4th, 2020
The Advanced Textiles Conference of IFAI’s Virtual Expo 2020 continued Nov. 4 with a detailed presentation by Justine Decaens on “Smart Textiles: From Lab Prototypes to Commercial Products.” Decaens is R&D director with CTT Group, a testing laboratory and R&D facility specialized in technical textiles, headquartered in Quebec, Canada. Decaens first offered to define “smart […]
Virtual Expo 2020 advanced textiles education begins
November 3rd, 2020
The Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) opened the advanced textiles education sessions of Virtual Expo 2020 with a presentation by Dr. Sasha Stolyarov, CEO, Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA). His presentation, “The Development of Advanced Functional Fibers and Fabrics” outlined the progress made in AFFOA’s mission to “rekindle the domestic textiles industry” with its coordinated […]
Smart textile and e-textile solutions for indoor environments
September 1st, 2020
Technology and fabric advancements are fueling the development of smart textile and e-textile solutions for indoor environments. by Pamela Mills-Senn As the quest to add more functionality to interior spaces continues, smart fabrics and e-textiles are poised to make their own contributions, serving as platforms that can capture data, heat and cool, adjust lighting, entertain, […]
Succession Planning 101
February 1st, 2020
A seamless transfer of leadership in a family business requires hard conversations and a detailed road map to avoid the worst potholes and ensure a successful journey. by Jeff Moravec A family business can offer great rewards—personally and professionally—for its founders and their descendants. But a family business also presents unique challenges and requires careful […]
Smart seat covers for planes
January 1st, 2020
Now in the prototype stage, Move, a smart textile seat cover, puts the passenger in the driver’s seat when it comes to personal comfort flying economy class. Photos: LAYER. How can you have a better experience flying economy? The answer may lie in smart textiles and their ability to respond to individual needs. That’s the […]
Washable, weavable sensors
September 1st, 2019
UBC doctoral student Hossein Montazerian takes a look at a tiny sensor embedded into a fiber. The stretchable sensor—woven into fabric—can detect human movement and has the potential to alert individuals about their health, including when to hydrate or when to rest. Photo: UBC. Smart textiles continue to advance into more sophisticated and wearable options. […]
International standard for e-textiles
April 23rd, 2019
The AATCC research committee RA111, Electronically-Integrated Textiles, recently approved the evaluation procedure, AATCC EP13, Evaluation Procedure for Electrical Resistance of Electronically-Integrated Textiles. One of the very first international standards for e-textiles, the procedure provides detailed instructions for measuring resistance of e-textiles, a key indicator of functionality. It also includes guidance and calculations for determining change […]
E-textile markets mature
November 7th, 2018
An updated report from IDTechEx, “E-Textiles 2018-2028: Technologies, Markets and Players,” provides an overview of the electronic textiles ecosystem and its developing maturity. With research over the last five years, IDTechEx analysts have compiled details about the entire value chain, revenue data by product type, comments on future market development and forecasts from 2018–2028. The […]
Stressed? Interactive textiles monitor humans and structures for potential damage
July 1st, 2018
During the evening rush-hour traffic, the eight-lane 35W bridge over the Mississippi River in downtown Minneapolis suddenly collapsed on August 1, 2007, killing 13 people and injuring 145. The bridge was a continuous truss design, and an overstressed gusset plate at a critical joint was later determined as the weak point that contributed to its […]